Jewelry article with formed illusion plate

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to an ornament which gives the aesthetic appearance of a gemstone in a setting, but includes an illusion plate in a well so as to accentuate any material resting on the plate.

This application claims priority to Thailand Patent Application No.1203000701, filed on Jul. 12, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Ornaments, such as for use as a portion of a jewelry article, may be formed with one or more gemstones set in a metal-based setting. The setting is used to secure the gemstone in place as well as to provide an aesthetic background to aid in showing the luster of the stone. Typically, such ornaments are used in jewelry, such as in rings or bracelets. Because gemstones may have significant value, it is desirable to identify alternatives which provide or replicate qualities and/or features of gemstones in such settings so as to create alternate ornamental articles at lower price points. These alternatives may be used in place of or in addition to gemstones in jewelry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an ornament and a method for forming the ornament. The configuration of the ornament of the present invention is based on a combination of elements, formed in a particular way, and leveraging a variety of possible geometric configurations, manufacturing engineering and various coloring schemes, with the result being a formed aesthetically pleasing ornamental article and a new option in the market for accessories.

The purpose of this invention is to formulate an ornament which gives the aesthetic appearance of a gemstone in a setting, but is made either without a stone (gemstone or otherwise) or is made with one or more stones inserted within material, where the material enhances the appearance of any in-place stone.

The present invention introduces an alternative to a traditional ornament with a gemstone in a setting. The present invention includes a setting comprising one or more metals potentially in combination with other materials. The setting is formed in a particular way with particular materials so as to provide both security and an aesthetically pleasing and/or reflective result. This setting may be used in combination with translucent materials to form the ornamental article and to give the appearance of the one or more qualities of gemstones in an ornamental article.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts the well of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a faceted illusion plate of the present invention, showing a double star shape.

FIG. 3 depicts a well of the present invention with an inserted illusion plate.

FIG. 4 depicts a completed ornamental article of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a completed ornamental article included in a jewelry object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention (referred to as “diamond cut enamel”) comprises a grouping of elements which provides an appearance representative of, for example, handicraft, art and engineering, or folk art.

The present disclosure is directed to a new method for manufacturing jewelry or other ornamental articles and a new type of ornamental article. In the preferred embodiment, the technique uses a faceted plate in combination with enamel (or comparable material), and potentially one or more coloring elements, to create the illusion of actual colored stones set into a jewelry mounting. This process and resultant article allow the manufacturer to offer the consumer the look of colored stone jewelry at a much lower cost. In other embodiments, alternatives to enamel or stones encased in enamel may be used. In other embodiments alternatives to enamel-based solutions may be used where those solutions may be translucent or transparent and the solutions may be or may become a hardened material.

This method combines placing a faceted plate into a concave receptacle and coating it with a coloring agent to create the look of a colored stone mounted into the jewelry.

Two separate jewelry making technologies have been combined in a new and different way. Faceted plates have been used in jewelry making to create the illusion of a stone, such as a white diamond. Coloring agents like enamels, epoxies and metallic plating materials have been used to color plain metal components, or accent genuine stones. These jewelry technologies, together with other specialized techniques and elements, are combined in the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a well, or setting, is formed to act as a receptacle for an illusion plate and translucent or transparent material. A cast or stamped setting may be used. Typically the well is metal-based and is typically formed with a rim. The well may be formed through welding or stamping. This setting is typically concave in shape. In an alternative embodiment, the illusion plate is a part of the well itself.

An illusion plate is formed and typically placed in the bottom interior of the well. The illusion plate is preferably formed of a malleable metal, such as but not limited to silver or gold, and sized to fit the base of the well. FIG. 2 shows an example of a stamped illusion plate. In the method of the present invention, the illusion plate is engraved or stamped with a faceted pattern. The pattern is determined based on the ultimate desired appearance. When formed with a faceted pattern, any translucent or transparent material which is formed so as to fit at least partially in the well and rest on the illusion plate may give the illusion of diamond or another colored stone surface. These plates are preferably shaped in the typical stone shapes of round, oval, pear, marquise and square.

The illusion plate may be pre-formed or a precious metal sheet may be used with a faceted pattern stamped or cut into it. Other known techniques may also be used.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the illusion plate may be a part of the well. In general, because the illusion plate may be reflective in this embodiment, the well itself would also have similar reflective properties.

The pattern used for the illusion plate depends on its intended appearance. In the preferred embodiment, the illusion plate includes an 8 star appearance, as shown in FIG. 2, although other variations including more or fewer facets may be used. A bending or forming tool may be used to form the 8-star (or other) faceted base, such as by maintaining the center and rotating the work piece typically 40-45 degrees and through 4 angles to get the 8-star cut shape.

A dual star model may be used as well, as shown in FIG. 2 (showing two 8-star patterns). Such a model may enhance features such as reflectivity by, in effect, creating a dual mirror effect. Depending on the ultimate size of the ornamental article, while maintaining the same center, the tool may be moved to the rim of the work piece and moved upward 0.1 to 1 mm, to obtain the proper cut at the rim of the work piece.

When the illusion plate and the well are separate elements, the illusion plate needs to be attached to the well. In the preferred embodiment, the plate is assembled into the setting using glue or solder. Alternatively, the attachment may be mechanical, such as setting the plate using typical stone setting techniques, such as prongs, beads or bezels.

FIG. 3 shows a faceted illusion plate after being placed in a well.

Application of a translucent coating will allow the illusion plate, and particularly the facets of the illusion plate, to remain visible through the coating. The appearance can additionally be reflective thereby further enhancing the ornament's appearance. This coating is formed preferably of a combination of enamel, epoxy materials (often called clear coats), and metallic plating solutions such as rhodium or gold. In the preferred embodiment, the coating to epoxy ratio is 1:0.4, although other combinations may function just as well. Alternatives may also be used, such as an enamel material with an epoxy layer for adhering purposes only. The coating may be further colored to give a particular appearance. Rhodium plating may be used and is currently available in white, black and blue. Gold plating is available in numerous shades of yellow, pink, green, and brown.

The coating may further include other materials and/or other elements. For example, the coating could contain one or more gemstones in addition to a mix of materials in the coating. These gemstones may be placed so as to form a pattern or the appearance of a pattern within or on the coating. Other stones or other objects may also or alternatively be used.

In general, the coating rests on the illusion plate, is formed in a desired shape, and is contained at least partially by the rim of the well. This coating may be introduced into the ornament in a variety of ways, such as by pouring, brushing, or placing, as detailed below.

An enamel or clear coat epoxy may be applied with a brush or poured. Gold or rhodium plating may be applied with an electro-plating pen device. The coat may be dried in a drying oven, or air dried after application of the color. The coat includes material for attaching to the illusion plate and rim, such as an epoxy, and also includes a hardener so that the coat is ultimately formed as a durable solid. The coat itself may be further coated with another material, such as for the purpose of durability.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show samples of the finished product.

The preferred method to make diamond cut enamel of this invention is detailed below. As can be appreciated, known alternatives or additions may also be used.

1. Select materials based on preferred appearance.

2. Select the model among several shapes based on the dimensions of geometry, engineering and expected desirability. Alternatively, set up the material in several shapes using handicraft, art and engineering or folk art.

3. Form the well and illusion plate. Cut and form the work pieces to the sizes and shapes as required.

4. Use tools and equipment to make the design on the illusion plate work piece by using the center of the design as a reference point, rotate the work piece 45 degrees on 4 angles to obtain the 8 star cut shape as shown.

5. Using the same center, move the tool to the rim of the work piece according to the desired size and move upward 0.1-1 mm to cut around the rim of the work piece.

6. Mix the enamel with a hardener to form a mix at the approximate proportion of 1:0.4.

7. Add epoxy to the mix as desired.

8. Add a coloring agent to the mix as desired.

9. Apply the mix on the work piece according to the desired shape as appropriate, such as by brushing.

10. Add epoxy as desired.

11. Dry the mix in an oven it at 60-70 degrees C. for approximately 1-1.5 hours or leave it to become naturally dried for approximately 6-9 hours.

Because certain jurisdictions limit use of certain materials, in at least some embodiments of the present invention, the materials used have low levels of or are free of lead and/or cadmium and/or potentially other heavy or toxic elements. 

1. A method for preparing a jewelry ornament comprising the steps of: forming a metal well comprising a base plate with a plurality of facets radiating from the center of the base plate, filling said well with a translucent material, said material including enamel and hardener, and hardening said translucent material.
 2. The method of claim 1, where said jewelry ornament is essentially lead free.
 3. The method of claim 1, where said jewelry ornament is essentially cadmium free.
 4. The method of claim 1, where said translucent material includes a coloring agent.
 5. The method of claim 1, where said plurality of facets is formed by engraving or stamping.
 6. The method of claim 1, where said base plate is overall concave in shape.
 7. The method of claim 1, where said base plate is plated with rhodium.
 8. The method of claim 1, where the metal in said metal well comprises silver.
 9. The method of claim 1, where the metal in said metal well comprises gold.
 10. The method of claim 1, where said well is formed by casting.
 11. The method of claim 1, where said base plate is shaped so as to conform to the shape of a round, oval, pear, marquise, or square stone.
 12. The method of claim 1, where said base plate is formed separately from said well is attached to the interior base of said well.
 13. A jewelry article comprising: a metal well, a reflective base plate disposed in said metal well and formed with a plurality of facets, a translucent enamel-based element disposed in said well and on said base plate, and a cover coat disposed over said translucent enamel-based element, said cover coat being translucent.
 14. The article of claim 13, where said article is essentially lead free.
 15. The article of claim 13, where said article is essentially cadmium free.
 16. The article of claim 13, where said translucent enamel-based element includes a coloring agent.
 17. The article of claim 13, where said plurality of facets is formed by engraving or stamping.
 18. The article of claim 13, where said base plate is overall concave in shape.
 19. The article of claim 13, where said base plate is plated with rhodium.
 20. The article of claim 13, where the metal in said metal well comprises silver.
 21. The article of claim 13, where the metal in said metal well comprises gold.
 22. The article of claim 13, where said well is formed by casting.
 23. The article of claim 13, where said base plate is shaped so as to conform to the shape of a round, oval, pear, marquise, or square stone.
 24. The article of claim 13, where said base plate is formed as a part of the interior base of said well. 